Camera-equipped portable information terminal device

ABSTRACT

The present invention makes it possible to perform good illumination and obtain a good captured image when a plurality of users each having a camera-equipped portable information terminal device gather in the same place. A camera-equipped portable information terminal device is provided with: an imaging unit that captures an image of a subject; a first illumination means for illuminating the subject; a first communication unit that communicates with other portable information terminal devices; and a first control unit that controls the imaging unit and the first communication unit. The first control unit transmits a light emission instruction signal to the other portable information terminal devices via the first communication unit, and causes a second illumination means of each of the other portable information terminal devices to emit light in tandem with an imaging operation of the imaging unit.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a camera-equipped portable informationterminal device capable of capturing images and relates in particular totechnology for capturing better images by linking with other portableinformation terminal devices capable of communication.

BACKGROUND ART

Digital type cameras (hereafter, digital cameras) that acquiretwo-dimensional captured images of the subject by passing images of thesubject through the imaging lens to a camera sensor comprised of asemiconductor, and detecting the amount of light incident on each pixel;and portable information terminal devices (hereafter, camera-equippedportable information terminal devices) including smartphones containingthis type of camera are becoming widely used.

Here, achieving satisfactory image quality when capturing an image witha digital camera or camera-equipped portable information terminal devicerequires illuminating the subject serving as target for imaging with asufficient amount of light. Image capture at parties and group dinnersin particular is often made in dimly lit indoor areas and in order tocapture images in these types of environments, cameras are equipped withan internal or externally mounted device such as a strobe and a flashusing LED to illuminate the subject.

Generally, a camera includes one internal flash and particularly in asmall camera with an internal flash, increasing the distance from theoptical axis of the imaging lens to the flash emission section isimpossible. Consequently most of the entire subject image captured bythe lens is illuminated by the light from the flash so adding lightshadows to the subject is difficult. When capturing an image of aperson's face for example, adding shadows that allow viewing theprotrusions and hollows on the face such as the eyes, nose, and lips andso on is impossible so that capturing a good quality portrait image isalso difficult.

One countermeasure in general studio photography is to mount multipleflash units at positions separate from the camera position. An externalflash emits a light flash in synchronization with light emission fromthe camera internal flash; or a hot shoe or X synchro socket mounted onthe camera is utilized to emit multiple flashes by a light emissioncommand signal from the camera. By illuminating the subject frommultiple flash units at various positions, the shadows on a face can befavorably expressed and good quality portraits can be captured.

In regards to the related art, PTL 1 discloses a photographic systemthat sets the lighting conditions whenever needed according to the imagecapturing circumstances by detecting the lighting or illuminationenvironment in the photo studio just prior to capturing the image andfeeding back those detection results to a means for setting the strobelight emission conditions.

On the other hand, an image sharing system is known in the related artas a method for managing captured images to jointly share multipleimages provided from users, with multiple users. PTL 2 discloses animaging sharing system having the object of jointly sharing image datain an easily usable form among sharing partners from the vast quantityof image groups in servers on the network.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

PTL 1: Japanese unexamined Patent Application Publication No.2005-301096

PTL 2: Japanese unexamined Patent Application Publication No.2009-259239

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

The method disclosed in PTL 1 utilizing multiple lighting orilluminating devices such as flash units is easily usable for imagecapture in photo studios but is difficult for an ordinary user having aregular camera-equipped portable information terminal device or digitalcamera. The reason for the difficulty is that indoor commemorativephotography or image capture at party halls and group dinner locationsrequires that the user always carry along multiple lighting orilluminating devices, which creates the problem of increasing costs aswell as the amount of work involved in the photography. Therefore,unless one is a professional cameraman specializing in capturing imagesof people's faces, always taking along this amount of equipment isextremely difficult. Consequently, even in cases where many users havingtypical camera-equipped portable information terminal devices or digitalcameras are gathered together at a party hall or group dinner location,each user could only make use of the one flash unit within their owncamera for photography.

The images captured (photographed) at the party hall or group dinnerlocation are preferably instantaneously distributed to the attendingusers at that location. The image sharing system disclosed in PTL 2 is atype that utilizes servers on a network but gives no consideration toinstantaneously delivering images to those persons attending a party,etc.

An object of the present invention is to provide a camera-equippedportable information terminal device capable of satisfactoryillumination and acquiring satisfactory images at places where multipleusers having camera-equipped portable information terminal devices havegathered together at the same location. Another objective is toinstantaneously send the captured images to multiple users.

Solution to Problem

The aforementioned problems can be resolved by the present invention asdescribed in the claims. As one example, a camera-equipped portableinformation terminal device includes an imaging unit that captures animage of a subject; a first illumination means for illuminating thesubject; a first communication unit that communicates with otherportable information terminal devices; and a first control unit thatcontrols the imaging unit and the first communication unit, and in whichthe first control unit sends a light emission control signal to theother portable information terminal devices via the first communicationunit, and causes a second illumination means of each of the otherportable information terminal devices to emit light in tandem with theimaging operation of the imaging unit.

Or, in another example, a camera-equipped portable information terminaldevices includes an imaging unit that captures an image of a subject; afirst communication unit that communicates with other portableinformation terminal devices; and a first control unit that controls thefirst communication unit, and in which the first control unit forms agroup capable of mutual communication within the local area bycommunicating with the other portable information terminal devices byway of the first communication unit, and along with sending image datacaptured by the imaging unit to the other portable information terminaldevices in the group by way of the first communication unit, alsoreceives image data sent from the other portable information terminaldevices.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

The present invention links with other portable information terminaldevices gathered at the same location when capturing images of thesubject by way of a camera-equipped portable information terminal deviceand provides a light assist so that the user can easily obtainsatisfactory captured images without having to carry lighting orillumination devices. Moreover, the images captured by thecamera-equipped portable information terminal device can beinstantaneously viewed by other portable information terminal deviceusers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a concept image drawing showing the structure of the imagingsystem utilizing the camera-equipped portable information terminaldevice of Example 1.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal structure of thecamera-equipped portable information terminal device.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the format of the light emission commandsignal that the imaging terminal sends to the illumination terminal.

FIG. 4 is a timing diagram showing the relation of the basic operationtiming of the imaging terminal and the illumination terminal.

FIG. 5 is a timing diagram showing the relation of the operation timingof the illumination terminal and the imaging terminal when utilizing acommand.

FIG. 6 is a timing diagram showing the operation timing of the imagingterminal and the illumination terminal when utilizing the mechanicalshutter.

FIG. 7 is a concept image drawing for describing the method forsynchronizing the internal time on the imaging terminal with theillumination terminal by utilizing the GPS function.

FIG. 8 is a concept image drawing showing the structure of the imagingsystem of Example 2.

FIG. 9 is concept image drawings showing the imaging system of Example3.

FIG. 10 is a drawing for describing the necessity for grouping theportable terminals (Example 4).

FIG. 11 is drawings showing example of the search method for portableterminals in the target group.

FIG. 12 is drawings showing examples of the screen during linkedillumination operation between the imaging terminal and illuminationterminal.

FIG. 13 is a drawing and flow charts for describing the grouping of theportable terminal and the communication processing for the linkedimaging.

FIG. 14 is a drawing and flow chart for describing the communicationmethod using mail and schedule data held by the portable terminal.

FIG. 15 is a drawing for describing the method for imaging that utilizesa count-down (Example 5).

FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing the processing flow when imaging thatutilizes a count-down.

FIG. 17A is a concept image drawing showing the communication path whenthe portable terminal participates in the group (Example 6).

FIG. 17B is a concept image drawing showing the path for sharing theimage from the portable terminal within the group.

FIG. 18A is a flow chart showing the processing when the portableterminal participates in the group.

FIG. 18B is a flow chart showing the processing for sending the imagefrom the portable terminal.

FIG. 18C is a flow chart showing the processing for the portableterminal to withdraw from the group.

FIG. 19 is drawings showing the operation screen for sending the imagefrom the portable terminal.

FIG. 20 is drawings showing the method for managing the image data inthe portable terminal (Example 7).

FIG. 21 is drawings showing examples of the method for classifying thecaptured image data names.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The examples of the present invention are hereinafter described whilereferring to the accompanying drawings.

EXAMPLE 1

FIG. 1 is a concept image drawing showing the structure of the imagingsystem utilizing the camera-equipped portable information terminaldevice of Example 1. In the imaging system of the present example,plural camera-equipped portable information terminal devices (hereafter,called camera-equipped portable terminals, or simply portable terminals)are utilized to capture an image of a subject 120 such as a person.Among the plural camera-equipped portable terminals, a camera-equippedportable information terminal 100 is a terminal for capturing images.Three other camera-equipped portable terminals A (101), B (102), and C(103) are devices to assist the illumination of the subject 120.Hereafter, the camera-equipped portable terminal for capturing an imageis called the “imaging terminal” and the camera-equipped portableterminal for assisting illumination is called the “illuminationterminal”.

An imaging optical axis 121 of the imaging terminal 100 captures imagesfrom the front of the subject 120. The illumination terminals A, B, andC on the other hand, wait at different positions from the imagingterminal 100, and illuminate the subject 120 from different angles. Theimaging terminal and the illumination terminals have different roles yeta camera-equipped portable terminal having identical functions can beutilized. Each terminal has a respectively different owner, and eachuser holds the respective terminals in hand in a state where ready atthe specified position. This example assumes that a total of four userswith the exception of the subject person take turns performing theimaging. However, if the roles of the imaging terminals and illuminationterminals among the plural terminals are firmly established, theillumination terminal does not require an imaging function so a portableinformation terminal device not having a camera may be employed.

The camera-equipped portable terminal may include a wirelesscommunication function such as an ordinary wireless LAN or Bluetooth(registered trademark) to carry out mutual communication between theterminals. By utilizing this function, the imaging terminal 100 carriesout communication 111 with the illumination terminal A (101), andcommunication 113 with the illumination terminal C (103), andcommunication 112 with the illumination terminal B (102) via theillumination terminal A (101). Of course, the imaging terminal 100 mayalso communicate directly with the illumination terminal B (102). Byutilizing this communication function the imaging terminal 100 sends alight emission command signal to each illumination terminal and each ofthe illumination terminals A though C emit light from the internalillumination means (imaging flash light or backlight LCD) to illuminatethe subject 120.

The imaging terminal 100 of course includes an illumination means.However, the imaging terminal 100 is mounted in a position near theoptical axis 121 of the imaging lens due to the restriction that theflash unit in the imaging terminal 100 is built into the terminal devicebody. Therefore, when capturing an image of a person's face, lightshines from the front of the subject 120 on nearly the same axis as thelens so that there is no shadow from the light on the subject andcapturing a satisfactory portrait is difficult.

However, in the present example, light can be illuminated onto thesubject from different angles by emitting light by way of theillumination means (LCD with backlight, etc.) in other illuminationterminals A, B, and C. As a result, shadows can be added to the nose andears on the face of the person serving as the subject 120 and a goodquality portrait can be photographed with a better stereoscopic effect.

Therefore, each portable terminal is grouped beforehand to set a stateallowing mutual communication within the local area of this group. Inthis group, any portable terminal may operate as an image terminal, anda portable terminal not operating as an illumination terminal may alsobe included. Any device in the group can operate as an illuminationterminal every time a picture is taken. The captured image data can alsobe automatically distributed to the portable terminals participating inthe group by mutual communication.

Therefore, in the present example as described above, when plural usershaving camera-equipped portable information terminal devices gathertogether in the same location, other portable information terminaldevices link to provide light assist, so that the user can in this wayeasily obtain a satisfactory captured image without having to carryaround plural illumination devices.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal structure of thecamera-equipped portable information terminal device. Thecamera-equipped portable information terminal device (camera-equippedportable terminal) 100 of the present example is basically configured asa computer system. A CPU (central processing unit) 200 is the controlunit for the entire portable terminal, various types of hardware areconnected to the bus 220, and the CPU 200 controls the operation of eachhardware unit. In this example in particular, the CPU 200 of the imagingterminal links to the camera image capture operation and communicateswith the illumination terminal to issue a light emission command to theillumination terminal. The illumination terminal A (101), B (102), and C(103) have the same structure and the CPU 200 controls the lightemission by the illumination means according to the light emissioncommand from the imaging terminal.

The camera-equipped portable terminal includes the following as varioustypes of hardware elements. As a camera imaging unit, a shutter button201, a camera sensor 202 for converting an optical image focused by animaging lens (not shown in drawing) into an electrical signal, a signalprocessor DSP 203 for signal processing of the camera sensor 202, and anencoder/decoder 204 that performs compression processing of a videosignal comprised of RGB components obtained by way of the signalprocessor DSP by utilizing the compression method such as discretecosine transformation or Huffman coding. The encoder/decoder 204 mayalso include a function for compression processing of video (movingpicture) image and not just still images that are captured. The camerasensor 202, the signal processor DSP 203, and the encoder/decoder 204need not connect via the bus 220, but may send the output signal fromthe camera sensor 202 directly to the signal processor DSP 203 and theencoder/decoder 204 and process the video signal. In this case, the bus220 does not have to pass large size video signals so the bus 220 is notbusy handling the video signal and so can perform other tasks along withimage capture through compression processing on the device.

Next, the camera-equipped portable terminal includes a GPS unit 205 foracquiring the current position of the camera-equipped portable terminal,a G sensor 206 to measure the acceleration generated by movement of theterminal and a change in the terminal direction, a Bluetooth 207 tocarry out short distance wireless communication between external devicessuch as portable terminal devices, and a wireless LAN 208 that sends andreceives information by wireless communication with a portable terminaldevice and acquires the current position and other information usingsignals from portable terminal devices and the wireless communicationbase station. The camera-equipped portable terminal further includes aflash memory 209 to store programs for controlling the entire terminaland basic constants, a SD-RAM 210 which is a work memory to executeprograms and store the sequentially updated GPS satellite orbitinformation 210 a, and GPS position information 210 b and otherinformation, and a clock 211 to attach a time code to the imageinformation to be stored during image capture and utilize for thepreviously described GPS position information measurement.

Next, the camera-equipped portable terminal also includes a backlightLCD (liquid crystal display) 212 to show a monitor display of thesubject image received by the camera sensor 202 during image capture.The backlight LCD 212 reproduces the captured image data that is storedin the external memory 215 a described below and is also utilized forchecking and changing the contents set in the terminal. The backlightLCD 212 in the illumination terminals A, B, and C is utilized as anillumination means during image capture by emitting light of a backlightlight source. The camera-equipped portable terminal includes aflashlight 213 serving as an illumination means to capture images of thesubject by way of the camera sensor 202.

Moreover, the camera-equipped portable terminal also includes a contacttype wireless I/F 214 such as NFC (Near Field Communication) to performdata communication by close contact with other devices including aportable terminal; an external memory I/F 215 to store image-capturedand compressed image data into the external memory 215 a; ageneral-purpose external device I/F 216 to communicate with externaldevices by cable; and an infrared ray I/F 217 to receive commands suchas for camera shutter operation by way of an infrared remote control andperform wireless communication with other portable terminals by way ofinfrared rays.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the format of the light emission commandsignal that the imaging terminal sends to the illumination terminal. Twoexamples of the format of the light emission command signal to send fromthe imaging terminal to the illumination terminal are shown as: (a) nocommand, and (b) command. The sending and receiving of the lightemission command signal is performed by the Bluetooth 207 or thewireless LAN 208 of the imaging terminal or illumination terminal.

The light emission command signal 300 (no-command) in FIG. 3(a) is a setcomprised of a time (namely, a light emission start time) ti forexecuting the light emission command; and a Si (Smart Terminal ID) toshow the ID of the illumination terminal serving as the transmitdestination of the light emission command signal and sent as plural (i,j, k . . . ) units to the illumination terminal 101′. This format is thesimplest format. The light emission start time ti is for example set asthe light emission start time t2 described later on in FIG. 4.

The light emission command signal 310 (command) in FIG. 3(b) is a setcomprised of a time ti to execute the light emission command, and Si toshow the ID for the illumination terminal serving as the transmitdestination for the light emission command signal; and an Opi (Operand)to show the actual content (command) of the light emission command andsent as plural (i, j, k . . . ) units to the illumination terminal 101′.The commands described in the Op include commands having instructionsfor actual contents of the light emission for example including thelight emission start time and light emission end time described later onin FIG. 5, or command values for the light emission color describedlater on in FIG. 9, or the timing, number of cycles as well as valuesincidental to those commands.

Hereafter, the relation of the operation timing between the imagingterminal and the illumination terminal is described by grouping theexplanation into the shutter scheme and illumination scheme.

FIG. 4 is a timing diagram showing the relation between the basicoperation timing for the imaging terminal and the illumination terminal.This operation is the case where utilizing the light emission commandsignal 300 as shown in FIG. 3(a).

In the imaging system of FIG. 1, during image capture from the imagingterminal 100, pressing down the shutter button 400 at time t1 sends thelight emission command signal 300 of FIG. 3 by the communication 111through 113 in FIG. 1 to each illumination terminal A (101), B (102),and C (103). Each of the illumination terminals A, B, and C receive thelight emission command signal 300 and start emitting light and thatlight emission state continues in the light emission period 420 fromtime t2 to time t5. During image capture by the imaging terminal 100,the light exposure period 410 is from time t3 to time t4. The lightemission state continues in the time zone including this light exposureperiod 410 so that image capture can be performed by utilizing the lightemission from each illumination terminal. The communications 111 through113 issue commands separately to each illumination terminal so as todefinitely cover the light exposure period 410 at the light emissionstart time t2 and light emission period 420. Or, the light emissiontimes of each illumination terminal A, B, and C are set in advance so asto definitely cover the maximum light exposure period of a typicalcamera-equipped portable information terminal.

The imaging system of the present example can be applied to the captureof moving images with the illumination terminal 100. More specifically,if the capture of moving images starts from time t3 which is the startpoint for the light exposure period 410 in FIG. 4 and ends at time t4which is the end point for the light exposure period 410, the lightemission start time t2 for the portable terminals A, B, and C may be thesame as in FIG. 4. In the case of a long exposure time for capturingmoving images, the light emission end time t5 must be extended. In thatcase, the imaging terminal 100 sends a light emission end command signalto the illumination terminals A, B, and C and the light emissionoperation ends at the timing that the illumination terminals A, B, and Creceive this light emission end command signal.

FIG. 5 is a timing diagram showing the relation of the operation timingof the illumination terminal and the imaging terminal when utilizing acommand. This operation is the case where utilizing the light emissioncommand signal 310 shown in FIG. 3(b).

Pressing the shutter button 500 of the imaging terminal 100 at time t1sends a command 520 instructing the illumination terminals A (101)through C (103) to emit light. Besides the light emission time, thiscommand 520 includes the information that the light exposure period 510of the imaging terminal 100 is the period from time t4 to time t6. Theillumination terminals A through C receive this command and start lightemission. The description of the illumination terminals is here groupedinto (a) the case of the backlight LCD, and (b) the case of thestroboscopic flash units.

In the case of (a) using a backlight LCD as the light source for theillumination terminal, the illumination terminal continues the lightemission state in the light emission period A (530) from the time t3 totime t7 that the command is instructed. The light exposure period 510 ofthe imaging terminal 100 is from time t4 to time t6, and the lightemission from each illumination terminal is utilized for image captureso that the light emission state can continue in the time zone includingthis light exposure period 510. In comparing with the light emissionperiod 420 in FIG. 4, in the light emission period A (530) in FIG. 5, acommand is issued so as to continue light emission just for the minimumperiod so as to cover the light exposure period 510. The light emissionperiod is minimal so that power consumption caused by the backlight LCDlight emission which is the main factor in battery consumption in theillumination terminal can be kept to a minimum. Here, time t3 and timet7 showing the light emission period may be set for a relative time fromtime t1, or may be set as an absolute time by synchronizing the internalclock of the imaging terminal with the illumination terminal.

Light emission might not be correct during the light exposure period ifan error occurs at this time in the light exposure period 510 of theimaging terminal, and the light emission period 530 of the illuminationterminal, so correctly synchronizing the imaging terminal clock with theillumination terminal clock is necessary. Specifically, the imagingterminal clock and the illumination terminal clock must be synchronizedin units within one-tenth to one-hundredth of a second. Thissynchronization is described later on using FIG. 7.

Here, the drawing (b) is the case where the stroboscopic flash mountedin a general digital still camera is the light source for theillumination terminal or a light source that is for example a LEDcapable of emitting intense light for a short time equivalent to thelight from a stroboscopic flash unit. In this case, the light emissionperiod B (540) that the illumination terminal emits light is asufficiently short time Δt compared to the light exposure period 510 ofthe imaging terminal but must be inserted within the exposure period 510of the imaging terminal. Therefore, the shutter button 500 of theimaging terminal is operated at time t1 and light exposure is performedin the period from time t4 to time t6. In parallel with this operation,the imaging terminal sends a command 520 instructing light emissionperiod to each illumination terminal. The imaging terminal knows thisexposure period 510 (t4 to t6) and so the command 520 includes the lightemission start time t5 and the light emission time Δt so that theillumination terminal emits light during the exposure period. In theillumination terminal, the stroboscopic flash unit emits light only inthe light emission period B (540) within the light exposure period 510.Imaging operation can in this way be performed by using light emittedfrom the stroboscopic flash unit.

The light energy from the stroboscopic flash unit is described here.When the light emission period (light emission time) of the stroboscopicflash unit is Δt, the light energy quantity applied to a film or sensoris the accumulated light from the product of the stroboscopic flash unitlight emission quantity L times the light emission period Δt. The lightemission time Δt of the stroboscopic flash unit is generally 1/1,000 to1/10,000 of a second and is extremely short compared to the lightexposure period (for example 1/60 of a second or less) of the camera inan environment requiring lighting; however the peak value Lmax of thelight quantity L is extremely large so a sufficient accumulated lightquantity can be obtained in that short amount of lighting time.

The stroboscopic flash unit includes a function (auto strobe) capable ofcontrolling the accumulated light quantity by changing the lightemission time Δt in a period of 1/1,000 to 1/10,000 of a second. Thisfunction cannot control the peak value Lmax of the output light quantityof the light emission element, but can adjust the accumulated lightquantity by controlling the light emission time Δt in the auto strobe.More specifically, light emitted for just a 1/1000 second period duringmaximum light quantity can be controlled to 1/10 of the accumulatedlight quantity by for example changing the light emission time to1/10,000. An image with the correct light exposure can in this way becaptured by just controlling the stroboscopic flash with the shutterspeed and shutter closure of the camera still unchanged. In the presentexample, by setting respectively different light exposure times on eachillumination terminal from the imaging terminal, the accumulated lightemission quantity on each illumination terminal can be individuallycontrolled, and the accumulated light quantity from illuminationterminals emitting light onto the subject for every possible directioncan be controlled so that a high quality image can be captured in anideal illumination state.

FIG. 6 is a timing diagram showing the operation timing of the imagingterminal and the illumination terminal when utilizing the mechanicalshutter. In this example, the shutter for the imaging terminal is amechanical shutter such as a focal plane shutter and illustrates thecase where the stroboscopic flash unit is the light source for theillumination terminal.

The mechanical shutter operating state when the shutter button 600 isdepressed is not only a fully open shutter state but also anintermediate state that applies light to a camera sensor in anintermediate state where the shutter is partially open. In other words,besides a full exposure period 612 corresponding to the fully openshutter, the light exposure period 610 also includes the intermediatelight exposure periods 611 and 613 during partially open and closedshutter operation.

In the light emission period 630 of the stroboscopic flash unit, thelight emission time is Δt at the light emission start time t5. Thislight emission period 630 can be set into the full exposure period 612that is the fully open shutter and not in the intermediate lightexposure periods 611 and 613 during the shutter opening and closingoperation. All of the light emitted from the stroboscopic flash unit canin this way be utilized for light exposure.

The internal shutter in the imaging terminal 100 itself knows the timingof the time required for shutter opening operation (time t3 to t4) andthe time required for shutter closing operation (time t6 to t7).Whereupon, the light emission timing command time contained in thecommand 620 sent to the illumination terminal, is set in the fullexposure period 612 that is the fully open shutter (state) and avoidsthe intermediate light exposure periods 611 and 613 during shutteropening and closing operation. The light emitted from the stroboscopicflash unit is in this way not partially blocked during shutter openingand closing operation so that an image can be captured at a correctlight exposure quantity according to the light emission from thestroboscopic flash unit.

The imaging terminal 100 as described above, commands a light emissiontiming time to the illumination terminals A (101) and B (102); howeverthe internal clocks of these terminals must have sufficient accuracy tomatch the mutual time. A typical camera-equipped portable informationterminal has a communication function such as a cdma scheme as well ashigh-accuracy clocks to match the mutual times with high accuracy inorder to implement the functions, and no problem occurs if these areused. The method for utilizing the GPS function as a method forhigh-accuracy time synchronization in digital cameras and portableinformation terminals not containing the abovementioned high-accuracyclocks is described.

In recent years, digital cameras and camera-equipped portableinformation terminals have a GPS function serving as a positioninformation acquisition system that is utilized for adding incidentalinformation for image data as coordinate data showing the location whereimages are captured and recording the movement trail of the portableinformation terminal. The digital image data in particular is defined ina position coordinate storage format in the standard (Exif) for thatattribute information. This GPS function is increasingly being added tomore and more cameras because of the convenience it provides in viewingand arranging the pictures after image capture.

In some cdma communication schemes, a GPS time signal is utilized inorder to time-synchronize the cells (base stations) for carrying outportable telephone communication. The GPS system finds the currentposition of a portable terminal by utilizing the difference in radiowave propagation speed between each artificial satellite and theportable terminal. Utilizing the GPS information in this way iseffective for carrying out high-accuracy time synchronization. Eachartificial satellite therefore has an atomic clock for high accuracy andthat time information is applied to the GPS information radio wave andis sent along with the radio wave.

FIG. 7 is a concept image drawing for describing the method forsynchronizing the internal time on the imaging terminal with theillumination terminal by utilizing the GPS function.

The imaging terminal 100 receives the GPS information radio waves fromthe GPS satellite A (711), GPS satellite B (712), and GPS satellite C(713) by way of the GPS unit 700 mounted in the imaging terminal 100.Two dimensional position coordinates on the earth can be calculated byreceiving information from at least three GPS satellites; andthree-dimensional position coordinates can be calculated by receivinginformation from four or more GPS satellites. The imaging terminal 100starts receiving information from the GPS satellite when the powersource SW701 is turned on, and time information contained within the GPSinformation is utilized to calibrate the clock within the imagingterminal. Also, the imaging terminal 100 calculates the current positioncoordinates when the shutter button 702 is pressed for image capture,adds the captured image to the position coordinates, and stores them.

The illumination terminal A (101) and illumination terminal B (102) alsohave the same internal structure as the imaging terminal 100, andreceive information from the GPS satellites in the same way, and arecapable of calibrating the internal clocks of each illuminationterminal.

When measuring the current position coordinates by way of the GPSmethod, acquiring position information for example with an error of 30meters is equivalent to time accuracy within 0.1 μseconds. If the clockscould be aligned to this accuracy, a sufficiently small figure could beachieved even compared to the stroboscope light emission time (1/10,000per second=100 μseconds) or high-speed shutter speed (1/8,000seconds=125 μseconds). There is also a sufficient satisfactory accuracymargin even compared to the operating speed of single-lens reflexcameras or mirror-less focal plane shutter, or namely an X contact pointsynchronizing speed (approximately 1/250 seconds=4 meters per second).Moreover the imaging terminal and illumination terminal are mutuallypresent in almost the same position so that radio waves from the sameartificial satellite are received and operation can be completed with noactual difference in propagation speed occurring due to receiving radiowaves from different artificial satellites.

When capturing images of the subject on the camera-equipped portableinformation terminal device of Example 1, an illumination means withinanother illumination terminal present at the same location couldilluminate the subject from a different angle so that good quality imagehaving a stereoscopic effect could be captured.

EXAMPLE 2

The structure of Example 2 that prevents deterioration of image quality(red-eye phenomenon) during image capture is described next.

FIG. 8 is a concept image drawing showing the structure of the imagingsystem of Example 2. Image capture is performed the same as in Example 1by separately assigning the tasks for the plural camera-equippedportable terminals to the imaging terminal 100 and the illuminationterminals A (101), B (102), and C (103) but also in particular preventsdeterioration of image quality (red-eye phenomenon) during image captureof a human face.

An image quality deterioration phenomenon called the red-eye phenomenonoccurs when the imaging terminal 100 is capturing an image of a humanface by using the imaging terminal 100's own light emission section (forexample, flashlight 213). This red-eye phenomenon occurs when the lightemission section and the imaging lens of the imaging terminal 100 aremounted in close proximity to each other, and light emitted from thelight emission section is incident on the ocular fundus of the eyes ofthe person serving as the subject 120 and reflects the color of theocular fundi blood vessels or namely red light causing the phenomenonthat the eyes of the person in the captured image become red. Generallythere is one flash unit within the camera, and when the flash unit iswithin a small terminal body such as a portable information terminal, alarge distance cannot be obtained from the imaging lens optical axis tothe light emission section. Therefore, the light from the light emissionsection is emitted onto nearly the entire subject image captured by thelens.

The imaging system structure of the present example not only includes animaging terminal 100 that itself has a function for illuminating(flashlight) the subject 120, but that is also capable of utilizing theother illumination terminal A, B, and C (backlight LCD, or flashlight).Whereupon, illumination onto the subject 120 is carried out only withthe illumination 801, 802, and 803 from each illumination terminal. Inother words, when the optical axis 121 of the imaging terminal 100 isfacing the front of the face of the person serving as the subject 120(eyes are facing toward the camera), the imaging terminal 100 stopsusing the internal illumination 800.

Therefore, during image capture with the imaging terminal 100, adecision is made whether the face of the subject 120 is facing towardthe imaging terminal 100 or more specifically, where the face's line ofsight is toward the imaging terminal 100 from the image acquired inadvance by the camera sensor to show on a camera finder, etc. If theface's line of sight is not facing the imaging terminal 100, the imagingterminal 100 performs illumination operation, and if the face's line ofsight is facing the imaging terminal 100, the illumination 800 by theimaging terminal 100 is prohibited. The present example in this way doesnot use internal illumination by the imaging terminal 100 when the eyesof the person's face serving as the subject are facing toward theimaging terminal 100 so that deterioration of image quality (red-eyephenomenon) during image capture can be prevented.

EXAMPLE 3

Example 3 describes optimization of the illuminating light (luminescencecolor, brightness) emitted by the illumination terminal.

FIG. 9 is concept image drawings showing the imaging system of Example3. Image capture is performed the same as in Example 1 (FIG. 1) byseparately assigning the tasks for the plural camera-equipped portableterminals to the imaging terminal 100 and the illumination terminals A,B, and C; however the illumination light emission by each illuminationterminal is optimized. The present example performs a pre-flash beforethe actual imaging, adjusts the luminescence color and light emissionlevel of each illumination terminal, and sets optimized illuminationconditions.

In FIG. 9(a), the imaging terminal 100 sends a light emission commandsignal 310 as shown in FIG. 3(b) to the illumination terminals A (101),B (102), and C (103), and the contents of this command includeluminescence color and brightness for each illumination terminal. Eachillumination terminal A, B, and C performs light emission (illumination)901, 902, and 903 in compliance with the command. Different lightemission conditions may of course be used for each illumination terminalas described below.

The FIG. 9(b) shows an example of changing the illumination terminalluminescence color. The illumination terminal of the present example canfreely select the luminescence color by utilizing the light emissionfrom the LCD (color display) in the portable terminal. Usual lightemission generally utilizes a light with roughly equivalent brightnessfor each color red (R), green (G), and blue (B) that are 3 components ofthe color like the nearly-white color 920. Other simple examples includea warm color 910 expressing a color of warmth having a slightlyincreased R component, or a cold color 930 expressing a relatively coldcolor by slightly decreasing the R component, therefore a luminescencecolor can be selected from these three types and utilized.

The FIG. 9(c) describes a method for setting the ideal illuminance colorcombination by the pre-flash. The imaging terminal 100 sends a commandto the three illumination terminal A, B, and C to cause a pre-flash ateach luminescence color at the timings shown in the respective lightemission A (901), light emission B (902), and light emission C (903) inthe Figure. The luminescence colors at this time are for example set byswitching the emission light for a total of 27 patterns at intervals of1/60 of a second in a round-robin of the above described warm color 910,nearly-white color 920, and cold color 930 combinations. The imagingterminal 100 acquires subject images captured in the pre-flash, and setsconditions for the illumination light nearest the reference color (forexample skin color if a person) of the subject image color. The timerequired for imaging at a frame rate of 60 fps, and acquiring images allilluminated in the 27 pattern colors is 0.5 seconds so the processingcan be performed in a short time.

By in this way selecting an optimal luminescence color for the subjectand including it in the command for applying during the actual imagecapture, a satisfactory image can be easily obtained in consideration ofa luminescence color as well as the usual white balance adjustment.

The three types of simplest luminescence color are described here as thewarm color, nearly-white color, and cold color; however when there isalready illumination of the subject at the party site, etc., theluminescence color can also be changed to a warm color type or coldcolor type close to the center point of the party site color. Byadjusting the white balance to apply a nearly-white color to the partysite illumination, an imaging effect can be obtained that is the same asthe illumination by natural lighting. Moreover, not only the luminescentcolor but also the intensity of the illumination light can be adjustedfor setting illumination light from the imaging terminal andillumination light from each illumination terminal to the optimal level,to achieve more natural lighting for imaging of a person's face.

EXAMPLE 4

Example 4 describes the grouping of camera-equipped portable terminalscomprising the imaging system and their linking operation.

FIG. 10 is a drawing for describing the necessity for grouping theportable terminal. In the imaging system, the imaging terminal 100 sendsa command for ordering light emission to the illumination terminal A(101) and illumination terminal B (102) during image capture and to linkwith the imaging terminal 100 for image capturing. However, besidesfriends with linkable illumination terminals A and B at the same tableat the party site, there are also other persons with portable terminalsC, D, and E that not linking operation at adjacent tables, and so thesemust be separately grouped. Therefore, in order to avoid unwantedeffects on other peripheral imaging groups being around, the presentexample groups the imaging terminal and illumination terminals byauthorizing them for linking through mutual communication to utilizethem without interference even in environments such as party sites.

In one specific method, at startup of the camera functions or beforestarting the imaging terminal 100 scans and detects for example SID(Security Identifier) names from wireless LAN for similar neighboringportable terminals, and inquires whether or not mutual linking ispossible among the separate SID. Sending back a return signal 101 r and102 r that accepts the linking with the imaging terminal 100 by eachillumination terminal A and B, serves to authorize and start linking theimaging terminal 100 with the illumination terminals A and B. During theactual image capturing, linked image capture is possible by sending alight emission command signal from imaging terminal 100 to just theauthorized illumination terminal A and B. No authorization is carriedout for the portable terminals C through E at the adjacent tables sothere is no reply even if a light emission command/instruction signal issent.

Grouping of portable terminals is performed in this way by authorizingthe designated portable terminals for lined operation, and the portableterminals can separately perform image capture operation as a group. Sothere will be no mutual interference even if there are portableterminals of other persons or other imaging groups nearby.

FIG. 11 is drawings showing examples of the search method for the targetportable terminals for grouping. In this example, a search is made ofpersons attending the same party and the portable terminals they possessare grouped (authorized). More specifically, if the information for adesignated event such as invitations to a party stored within theportable terminals are a match, those portable terminals are objects forgrouping. In the method for searching address book records, mutualacquaintances might be taking part in separate parties while at separatetables and so are not eligible as objects for grouping.

As shown for example in the FIG. 11(a), the portable terminals possessedby persons attending the same party receive special party invitationmail, or the portable terminals contain a schedule for those intendingto attend the designated party. Also as shown in FIG. 11(b), by pressingthe “ATTEND” button 1100 on the event invitation to the party andsending it back to the sponsor, the event information is in some casesautomatically registered in the one's own schedule table. Or, in somecases the ID of the portable terminal of the person planning to attendis authorized by the issuer of the event invitation and sent to theportable terminals of others attending the party. In this way,designated event information is stored within the portable terminal ofthe party attendees, and by searching that information, the portableterminals belonging to the attendees of the designated party can bedetected and grouped even if a large site or location.

Another method is utilizing the NFC function to perform mutualauthentication (grouping) by a close proximity touch between terminalswhen a party is starting at a party site or during image capture. Thismethod may utilize NFC to carry out simultaneous authorization when forexample collecting electronic money as a participation fee at the startof a party. Other methods that combine any method for communicatingamong mutual portable terminals such as wireless, short-distancewireless, and cable, with utilizing information in the portableterminals can be utilized to perform authorization.

FIG. 12 is drawings showing examples of the screen during linkedillumination operation between the imaging terminal and the illuminationterminal. The light emission command from the imaging terminal to theillumination terminal and the linked illumination operation on theillumination terminals are preferably simple enough to allowinstantaneous operation when the party becomes lively. The linkedillumination operating mode on the illumination terminal is called the“sub-light mode”.

The FIG. 12(a) is the screen of the imaging terminal 100 and shows thestate in which the camera for image capture has started and furtherdisplays button 1201 for making light assist requests described as“Light Assist”. By pressing the request button 1201 the photographersends a request to an authorized illumination terminal to performillumination operation. Here, “2/5” is displayed on the button 1201, atotal of five illumination terminals are pre-registered and this displaysignifies that two of the five devices have started illuminationoperation.

The FIG. 12(b) is the screen of the illumination terminal 101 and showsthe stand-by state in which the power switch 1211 is pressed and thebacklight set to ON or namely a state where the screen is locked. Theuser operates the slide 1212 to release the lock state and shift to thenormal screen allowing operation.

The FIG. 12(c) is the normal screen of the illumination terminal 101 andshows the button 1213 allowing the light assist described in “Lightassist mode” in a state receiving light emission commands from theimaging terminal 100. Illumination operation can start just by pressingthe permission button 1213 in a simple action that starts the sub-lightmode and starts operation as an illumination device. For example itcauses full light emission of the backlight LCD on the illuminationterminal 101 and turns on the imaging waiting state. The LCD mayimmediately start emitting light, or may fully emit light for just aperiod specified in the light emission command signal and set thebacklight OFF state (or dim light emission state) for other periods, andin this way conserve electrical power consumption in the illuminationterminal.

Normal operation can be restored from the sub-light mode (lightemission-image capture waiting state) in the illumination terminal 101by pressing power key 1211 on illumination terminal 101 to cancel thesub-light mode regardless of image capture operation on the imagingterminal 100. Or, the sub-light mode can be canceled and the LCD andbacklight can be turned off, if the light emission command is notreceived within a specified time T_(sub) or more in sub-light mode. Thistime T_(sub) can be set by the user and can be set to a longer time thanthe normal time-out time T_(out) on the portable terminal (for example,T_(out)=15 seconds, T_(sub)=30 seconds).

FIG. 13 is a drawing and flow charts for describing the grouping of theportable terminals and the communication processing for the linkedimaging.

The FIG. 13(a) shows the method for a new portable terminal toparticipate in an imaging group. The case described here for example iswhere there are two imaging groups A and B at a party site, and the newportable terminal A2 will participate in group A. In this case, theportable terminal A2 can participate in group A by carrying outcommunication 1300 with any of the terminals belonging to group A, forexample with the portable terminal A1.

Here, proximity communication such as NFC (near field communication) isconvenient for communication between the portable terminal A1 and theportable terminal A2. By having each portable terminal user clearlyperform a gesture making the portable terminal A1 and the portableterminal A2 physically approach each other, the portable terminals ofspecially designated users such as acquaintances and party participantscan be allowed to reliably and easily participate in a group and othermembers of the group can be notified.

The FIG. 13(b) shows the communication content and the sequence that thenew portable terminal A2 carries out in order to participate in group A,with the portable terminal A1 that previously participated in group A.The new portable terminal A2 sends a terminal ID for the portableterminal A2 to the portable terminal A1 by communication through manualuser operation or the near field communication function (S1301). Theportable terminal A1 that receives the portable ID, sends a grouprequest to the portable terminal A2 and inquires whether the portableterminal A2 intends to participate in group A (S1302). The portableterminal A2 that receives the group request, decides to accept the grouprequest, and sends a reply to the transmit source portable terminal A1expressing the intent to participate (S1303). The portable terminal A1adds the terminal ID of the new portable terminal A2 to the group list(S1304), next, distributes the updated group list to each member alreadyparticipating in group A including the portable terminal A2, ordistributes) just the changed portion (S1305). This group list isgenerated at the stage where two portable terminals are first formedinto a group. From here onwards, any of the portable terminals belongingto the group can send a group request to a newly participating portableterminal.

The FIG. 13(c) shows the communication content and the sequence carriedout when the imaging terminal 100 and the illumination terminal 101 linkand perform image capture operation. This communication content andsequence correspond to the image operation in FIG. 12 and a descriptionis given while referring to this Figure. Here, the description onlycovers one illumination terminal 101 for purposes of simplification butthe case is the same as when including plural illumination terminals.

First of all, when the imaging terminal 100 starts the camera, a buttonrequesting illumination to the other portable terminal (1201 in FIG.12(a)) appears (S1311). When the user presses the request button 1201, acommunication requesting light assist is sent from the imaging terminal100 to the portable terminal (illumination terminal) 101 belonging tothe group (S1312). The request for light assist from the imagingterminal 100 may be automatically sent along with camera start-up and inthat case the operation using the request button 1201 may be omitted.

The illumination terminal 101 that receives the illumination request,displays a screen showing the illumination request from the imagingterminal 100 superimposed on the top display such as the usual standbyscreen (or when a separate application has started, on that applicationscreen). A button to accept receiving the illumination request isdisplayed on this screen (1213 of FIG. 12(c)) (S1313). Pressing thisagree button 1213 by the user sends back a message for approving lightassist from the illumination terminal 101 to the imaging terminal 100(S1314).

The portable terminal 100 that receives this return message faces thecamera to the subject and shifts to the image capturing mode. Theillumination terminal 101 on the other hand, turns on (lights up) theLCD display (or flash for image capture) and shifts to sub-light modecapable of illuminating the subject. The user of the illuminationterminal 101 faces that terminal toward the subject as shown in FIG. 1or FIG. 8, and adjusts an illumination position etc. so as to performsatisfactory light assist.

Then, pressing down the shutter button on the imaging terminal 100simultaneously sends an illumination command to the illuminationterminal 101 (S1315). More specifically, a light emission command signal300, or a light emission command signal 310 including a command toperform illumination control is sent. The illumination terminal 101 inthis way performs illumination in compliance with this command at theinstant the imaging terminal 100 performs imaging (S1316). When imagecapture ends, the illumination terminal 101 cancels sub-light mode andrestores the usual standby screen (or the application screen operatingprior to illumination) (S1317). In parallel with this operation, theimaging terminal 100 ends the image capture and stores the capturedimages in the memory (S1318).

The above described group list is deleted from each portable terminal atthe time the party ends or there is no longer any communication fromportable terminal ID of the same group; and ends the linked relationbetween illumination terminals or imaging terminals at the party.Therefore, the group list does not include any indefinite information.

FIG. 14 is drawings for specifically describing the communication methodusing the schedule data and mail held by the portable terminal as shownin FIG. 11.

The FIG. 14(a) shows the method for generating the character code(hereafter called schedule code) 1400 usable for mutual authorization bymaking use of party announcement mail and schedule data retained in eachportable terminal. The schedule code 1400 is comprised of a packet thatutilizes a portion of the main mail text and is a consecutive arraycontaining a transmit terminal ID and event date, number of charactersindicating and specifying a portion of the text, and specified characternumber code. The specified character number code is the main textsub-divided into four bytes each, with a total of nine 4-byte characterstrings (36-character portion) among which the lower four bytes are thecharacter code number total. The schedule code is generated based on themail text (section shown in italic and bold characters) which is aninvitation to a particular party and contains information on thedesignated event.

The FIG. 14(b) shows the communication content and the sequence whengrouping by utilizing this schedule code 1400. Targets for grouping areselected using the schedule code of the portable terminal (users)attending the same party and allowing them participate in the group. Thecommunication content between the portable terminal A1 alreadyparticipating in group A and the portable terminal A2 newlyparticipating in group A is shown.

The portable terminal A2 sends a terminal ID for portable terminal A2 tothe portable terminal A1 by manual user operation and by using the nearfield communication function (S1401). The portable terminal A1 thatreceives the portable ID, sends a schedule code 1400 within the portableterminal A1 that was generated in FIG. 14(a) in addition to the grouprequest, and inquires whether the portable terminal A2 intends toparticipate in group A or not (S1402). The portable terminal A2 thatreceives the group request generates the schedule code within A2 in thesame way, from mail and schedule data stored within its own device andwithin the received A1 schedule code. The portable terminal A2 checksthat the schedule code matches the schedule code within A1 (S1403). Bycollating the schedule code of both parties in this way, the portableterminal A1 that sends the group request can be authorized so that theportable terminal is known as attending the same party and is not anunknown portable terminal. The portable terminal A2 then generates aschedule code within A2 by the same method that is shown in FIG. 14(a)by this time setting a separate number of characters and sends back amessage attached with the generated code showing the intent to allowparticipation in group A (S1404).

The portable terminal A1 receives the schedule code within A2 and thegroup participation acceptance that was sent from the portable terminalA2, generates and collates a code with a specified number of charactersfrom the received schedule code within A2, and authorizes the portableterminal A2 as a portable terminal attending the same party (S1405). Theportable terminal A1 then adds the portable ID of portable terminal A2to the group list, and sends the group participation permission to theportable terminal A2 (S1406). The portable terminal A1 also distributesan updated group list to each member that is already participating, ordistributes the differing portion of the list. The portable terminal A2receives the group participation permission and displays it on theschedule screen (S1407).

By applying this method, the mail and schedule data can be convertedinto a simple code, and a portable terminal to hold shared eventinformation can be selected and authorized without disclosing personalinformation contained within the mail and schedule data.

When first sending the portable ID to the portable terminal A1 from theportable terminal A2 in S1401, if included along with the schedule code,then both can be collated when first sending them.

When results from the authorization in S1405 reveal that the newportable terminal (here, A2′) is not the portable terminal attending thesame party, the ID of the portable terminal A2′ may be distributed tothe members within group A the same as the group list. Distributing theID of the portable terminal A2′ to the member within group A isallowable because even if the terminal ID of the portable terminal A2′is later sent to another portable terminal within the group, theportable terminal that receives the ID can swiftly judge that portableterminal A2′ is not a portable terminal attending the same party so thatsubsequently generating a code and communicating the code isunnecessary.

EXAMPLE 5

Example 5 describes a method to shorten the waiting time required at theillumination terminal before starting image capture when the imagingterminal and the illumination terminal are linked to perform imagecapture. Namely, Example 5 proposes a method to efficiently connect andcommunicate taking into consideration the communication environment withthe imaging terminal and the illumination terminal.

The imaging terminal and the illumination terminal may communicate witheach other for example by utilizing wireless LAN however these portableterminals already utilize wireless LAN for ordinary Internetconnections. The SID check in FIG. 10 is carried out in this state butfrom the start of the party onwards, or from the start of image captureto the end of image capture the portable terminals carry outcommunication directly with each other, and not all of the portableterminals are necessarily present in the LAN space for connecting to theInternet at that time. So when carrying out communication directly witha wireless LAN such as when performing authorization during the start ofthe party, the portable terminal that is the host acts as a router anddistributes IP addresses to the portable terminals of the personsattending the party, and thus allows direct communication betweenportable terminals. However, when the each portable terminal operatesunder the router of the portable terminal serving as the host at thestart of the party, the need arises for making Internet connections byway of the portable terminal serving as the host, and so thecommunication capacity of the portable terminal serving as the hostmight possibly exert effects on the Internet communication speed of eachportable terminal.

Whereupon, in order to allow communication between portable terminalsauthenticated for example just for the period during image capture, onemethod gives commands for operation as illumination terminals after theportable terminal serving as the imaging terminal functioning as arouter, distributes IP addresses to portable terminals that weretemporarily pre-authorized.

This example illustrates a method for making sequential one-to-oneconnections each time the imaging terminal communicates with theillumination terminal, and commands it to start operating as anillumination terminal, and further when the shutter button is pressedmakes sequential one-to-one connections again to send the light emissiontime and other information from the imaging terminal to the illuminationterminal. In this case, not only a wireless LAN but also Bluetooth maybe utilized for communication.

In cases where the imaging terminal and the plural illuminationterminals are simultaneously connecting or carrying out one-to-manybroadcast type communications, then for example sending of informationsuch as light emission times or illumination terminal ID, and optioninformation as communication information shown in FIG. 4 can be carriedout within an extremely short time in Mbps units. However, when carryingout one-to-one communication between the imaging terminal and theillumination terminal, besides the time needed for informationcommunication between the imaging terminal and illumination terminal,the time required for setting up communication and the time required forcancelling the communication for each illumination terminal is alsoadded. The total of all these times multiplied by the total number ofillumination terminals is the time that the information communicationrequires so image capture will not start immediately just by pressingthe shutter button.

Generally therefore, when taking a souvenir picture with a person as thesubject, an image capture scheme is employed that carries out the actualimage capture by performing a count-down and carrying out informationcommunication from the imaging terminal to each illumination terminalduring the count-down. Restated, the countdown time is utilized tosecure the time needed to prepare for the linked illumination.

FIG. 15 is a drawing for describing the method for image capture thatutilizes a countdown. The imaging system is comprised of the imagingterminal 100, and three illumination terminals A (101), B (102), and C(103).

The framing of a person serving as the subject is being performed on thescreen 1500 on the imaging terminal 100. Here, pressing down the shutterbutton 1501 performs image capture but this example is rendered so thatthe actual image capture is performed after a specified period of timeelapses such as by way of a self-timer after pressing the shutter buttonto secure time for communication with the plural illumination terminalsA, B, and C.

More specifically, performing the framing of the subject and operatingthe shutter button 1501 on the imaging terminal 100, cause the imagingterminal 100 to send the light emission command signals 311, 312, and313 in the format described in FIG. 3(b), to the illumination terminalA, B, and C. The communication for sending of the command signals isfirst of all setup between the imaging terminal and each illuminationterminal and the light emission command signal next sent, and thecommunication is then canceled. This operation is carried out on thethree illumination terminals.

If the imaging terminal 100 could be constantly connected between theillumination terminals A, B, and C by a communication method such asWiFi, setting up communication and canceling communication would not benecessary. However, making a connection even on the same WiFi usingmethods such as Bluetooth and ad hoc type one-to-one connections meansthat the imaging terminal and illumination terminal can only make aone-to-one connection. Therefore, in order to connect to pluralillumination terminals, a communication setup and a communicationcancellation must be made in sequence with each illumination terminal sothat approximately one second is required for one unit which is a verylong time overall.

In the present example, a countdown value 1510 appears as, “3” “2” “1”on the screen of the imaging terminal 100 when carrying outcommunication with each illumination terminal. Namely, there is atransition of countdown screens as 1502, 1503, 1504, and image captureis performed when the countdown value reaches “0” on countdown screen1505. In parallel with this operation, the internal speaker in theimaging terminal 100 outputs a “3” “2” “1” voice 1520 countdown.

Plural countdown voices are preset inside the imaging terminal 100, anoptional voice may be preselected, or a different countdown voice may bedownloaded from a network. Further, even the user's own voice may bedirectly recorded and utilized as the countdown voice.

Applying this countdown operation in this way allows securingcommunication time so that the illumination terminal user does not haveto spend unnecessary time for waiting and the user can moreover makeefficient use of this waiting time.

This kind of countdown is generally utilized when capturing images ofpersons such as in group photographs and is typically used to take goodquality photographs of persons so they do not shut their eyes at theinstant of capturing the image or can present their best facialexpression during image capture, etc. Also, in recent years the camerasinside portable terminals even include a mode for taking one's ownpicture and the countdown mode is utilized in the same way, with thephotographer (person serving as the subject) allowed time after pressingthe shutter button for preparing to face the camera in the bestdirection to capture an image just as when photographing a person. Theuser will therefore feel no reluctance in employing a countdown in theimage capturing of this example.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing the processing flow when imaging thatutilizes a count-down. Here, imaging is performed based on the lightassist from each illumination terminal after sending commands to each ofthe terminal units, including a total of n number of illuminationterminals. Hereafter, this function to perform imaging based on lightassist is called the “sub-light” mode.

The user first of all starts up the camera application on the imagingterminal 100 and specifies the sub-light mode utilizing light assist forother portable terminals (S1601). Next, the user sends a startup commandfor sub-light mode for having each illumination terminal within thegroup perform light assist (S1602).

The imaging terminal user presses the shutter button for image captureand as the initial setting, here, 1 is substituted into the variable ifor counting the number of illumination terminal units (S1603). Thesub-light ON timing is then sent to each illumination terminal (S1604).

Along with a countdown, the processing in S1604 is specificallyperformed as follows. First of all, the countdown display 1510 and thevoice 1520 shown in FIG. 15 are output (S1611), a one-to-onecommunication connection command is sent to the illumination terminal i(S1612), and a one-to-one communication setup is curried out between theillumination terminal i and the imaging terminal (S1613). Next, thesub-light ON timing command 311 through 313 is sent to the illuminationterminal i (S1614) and the one-to-one communication setup with theillumination terminal i is cancelled (S1615). Then, after adding 1 tovariable i for counting the illumination terminals, the operationproceeds to the communication process for the next illumination terminal(S1616). The sub-light ON timing is in this way sent to one illuminationterminal i unit at a time, and this operation repeats until the variablei reaches n number of illumination terminal units (S1617).

When the decision in S1617 is that n of variable i is exceeded, thecountdown is ended (S1605), and the imaging terminal 100 operates thecamera to capture image (S1606). Each illumination terminal carries outsub-light ON operation to match the image capture timing. This imagecapturing by the imaging terminal continues until the camera applicationends, and each illumination terminal operating up to that time,continues to illuminate the subject in a state with the illuminationfunction in operation.

After the image capturing, the imaging terminal 100 decides whether toend the camera application or not (S1607), returns to S1603 ifcontinuing image capture, and repeatedly performs subsequent processingwith the shutter button pressed down. When the camera application ends,or namely the image capture ends, a command is made to end the sub-lightmode on each illumination terminal (S1608), and the imaging terminal 100ends the camera application operation (S1609).

Here, when separately sending commands to each illumination terminal inthe sub-light mode start command (S1602) and the sub-light mode endcommand (S1608), the communication setup may be separately sent by usingthe same procedure as in the procedures (S1612 through S1615) forsending the sub-light ON timing to each illumination terminal. Or, thesub-light mode startup and end commands may all be carried out togetherby broadcast communication to each portable terminal within the group.

The portable terminal of the present example serving as the illuminationterminal keeps the Internet connection cutoff time for communicationwith the imaging device to a minimum, and performs the countdownoperations in parallel with the communication time with the imagingdevice so that there is no unnecessary waiting time for the user.

EXAMPLE 6

Example 6 describes an arrangement for sharing the captured images amongthe members in the group. Here, the group refers to a state capable ofmutual communication within a local area. In this way, an image capturedby one camera-equipped portable information terminal device (portableterminal) belonging to the group can be easily shared and viewed amongmembers within the group by swiftly disclosing and distributing(hereafter, called “sharing”) the image to each portable terminal withinthe group. For example, among the portable terminals belonging to usersparticipating in an event at a common location, a group is formed at thelocation. And afterwards for example, the still image data such as theimage data captured at that location as well as the data including otheraudio, video, and documents are distributed to each member within thegroup.

FIG. 17A and FIG. 17B are concept image drawings for describing the pathfor grouping the portable terminals and the path for sharing images.

FIG. 17A is a drawing showing the communication path when the portableterminal participates in the group. First, the portable terminal 1000for example performs grouping operation of the portable terminals in thecommunication 1000t arrows, and first of all makes the portableterminals 1001 and 1002 participate in the group. In that case, theportable terminal 1000 performing grouping operation is called the“Group Parent” and the portable terminals 1001 and 1002 participating inthe group are called the “Group Child”. In this way, a state is reachedwhere the portable terminals 1000, 1001, and 1002 participate in thesame group, and the portable ID data (group list) for the three portableterminal units are stored in these three portable terminal units.

Next, when grouping a new portable terminal 1005, a communication is notalways necessarily required with the portable terminal 1000, andgrouping can be performed by communicating with portable terminal 1002within the group as the group parent. At that time, the portableterminal 1002 serving as the group parent, adds the terminal ID of thenewly participating portable terminal 1005 to the group list, and sendsthat group list to the portable terminal 1000 which is its own groupparent. Further, the portable terminal 1000 sends the group listreceived from the portable terminal 1002 to the portable terminal 1001which is its own group child. The portable terminal 1001 stores thereceived group list by overwriting it onto the original list. Theportable terminal 1000 can in this way know the portable ID of theportable terminal 1005 that is newly participating in the group.

This process continues further, the portable terminal 1002 allows 1003to participate in the group; the portable terminal 1003 allows 1006 toparticipate in the group; and the portable terminal 1001 allows 1004 toparticipate in the group to enlarge the group structure in this way. Onegroup containing the portable terminals 1000 through 1010 isconsequently formed, and each portable terminal is capable of sharingthe terminal ID (group list) of each portable terminal belonging to thegroup.

Here, the data exchange between portable terminals within the group iscarried out between the group parent and the group child. The portableterminal 1006 (terminal A) for example allows the portable terminal 1003(terminal B) as the group parent to participate in the group so that theterminal ID of portable terminal 1006 is registered in the group listbut the data exchange is carried out with the portable terminal 1003.The portable terminal 1003 (terminal B) in the same way, carries outdata exchange with the portable terminal 1002 (terminal C). Deviceinformation within each portable terminal is in this way placed only inthe terminal ID disclosed within the group, and the dissemination ofother personal information and the addition of communication traffic canbe prevented.

After the portable terminal 1008 participates with the portable terminal1009 as the group parent and before the group list where the portableterminal 1008 is registered is distributed within the group, acommunication 1005t for allowing participation of the portable terminal1008 from another portable terminal 1005 may likely be received at theportable terminal 1008. In such a case, in order to prevent redundantgroup registration, a message is sent back to the portable terminal 1005that the portable terminal 1008 is already registered in the same group.At this time, the portable terminal 1008 may overwrite informationshowing the link interrelation from the group participation processingfrom 1005, for inquiries to portable terminal 1005 and 1008 users andaccording to the level for “friend” and “good friend” such as for SNS(Social Network Service) or address notebooks within each of thedevices.

FIG. 17B is a concept image drawing showing the path for sharing theimage from the portable terminal within the group. Here, the disclosingor distributing (sharing) of images captured by portable terminal 1006(terminal A) is described.

As shown in FIG. 17A, link information (group parent and group childconnection information) among each portable terminal within the groupneed not be shared among all the portable terminals, and just linkinformation showing which portable terminal is communicated with whenone's own device participates in the group, or in other words justinformation showing the relation of one's own group parent and groupchild is stored within each portable terminal. Therefore, the portableterminal 1006 sends a captured image to the portable terminal 1003(terminal B) serving as the group parent and to the portable terminal1009 serving as the group child. Each portable terminal that receivesthis image, in the same way sends the received image to the portableterminal serving as the group parent and the portable terminal servingas the group child. The image can consequently be distributed to allportable terminals within the group. In that case, the direction forsending to the portable terminal that is the group parent is theterminal A→terminal B→terminal C direction; and opposite thecommunication direction (direction of the arrow) for participating inthe group in FIG. 17A.

Besides the image data itself, the data to send may include informationspecifying file names and addresses for storage within the portableterminal 1006 that is the transmit source. Or, for each portableterminal or at the point in time that grouping is performed, a methodmay be used for sending image data defined by the portable terminal 1000on a cloud not shown in the drawing or that address may be shared.

FIGS. 18A through 18C are flow charts showing the processing procedurefor participating in the group and sending images, and the groupcancellation. Here, the processing for the portable terminal 1006(terminal A) to participate in the group, and the processing for sendingan image captured by the terminal A to another portable terminal 1002(terminal C) in the group by way of the portable terminal 1003 (terminalB) are described based on the examples in FIGS. 17A and 17B. Further,the processing for the terminal A to withdraw from the group is alsodescribed. The terminal A and the terminal B, the terminal B and theterminal C, are in a mutual group parent-child relationship aspreviously described.

FIG. 18A is a drawing showing the process when the portable terminalparticipates in the group. The terminal A (1006) sends a terminal ID ofthe terminal A to the terminal B (1003) that is already participating inthe group (S2001) by communication by way of manual operation of thenear field function by the user. The terminal B receiving the terminalID, sends a group request to the terminal A, and inquires whether theterminal A intends to participate in the group or not (S2002). Theterminal A that receives the group request, decides to accept the grouprequest, and returns a message to participate in the group to theterminal B that is the transmission source (S2003). The terminal B addsthe terminal ID of the terminal A to the group list (S2004), and nextdistributes the updated group list to the terminal A, and to theterminal C already participating in the group (S2005). From hereonwards, the terminal A newly participating in the group, can alsoperform the procedure for having a new terminal participate in thegroup, the same as allowed for the terminal B.

Methods other than the above are also capable of having a portableterminal participate in a group. The portable terminal for example cancommunicate with a portable terminal already participating in the group,by the placing of one terminal on another utilizing non-contactshort-range communication such as NFC (Near Field Communication) toperform group participation processing. The name of a portable terminalmay be selected and grouping performed when there are plural portableterminals placed within a common network environment by the same method.Also, the mail screen shown in FIG. 14, or the numeric coding shown onthat screen and further a specified image including two-dimensionalbarcode may be displayed on the screen of a portable terminal alreadyparticipating in the group, and that image is captured by the camera ofa new portable terminal to be authorized the participation in a group.

FIG. 18B shows the processing for sending an image from the portableterminal. In this case as shown in FIG. 17B, an image from terminal A(1006) is sent to terminal B (1003) in a direction opposite the groupparticipation processing direction and further forwarded to the terminalC (1002).

The terminal A selects the captured image or an image the terminal Awants to share (S2011) and sends a command for communication connectionto terminal B which is the group parent (S2012). The terminal B carriesout communication connection processing (S2013), and when the terminal Aand the terminal B are in a connected communication state, the terminalA sends image data (S2014), and the terminal B receives that image data(S2015). Both the terminals A and B subsequently cancel that connection(S2016).

The terminal B that receives the image data, executes a communicationconnection command with the terminal C that is its own group parent(S2017), and sends (forwards) image data by the same procedure asdescribed above (S2018 through S2021). This same action is carried outfor all terminals belonging to the group and the image from the terminalA is forwarded by the relay system, allowing sharing with all terminalsbelonging to the group.

Here, the image data is sent by the relay system by portable terminalsin a mutual group parent-child relationship. The load from sending thedata can in this way be apportioned among each terminal and the imagedata can be instantly and efficiently distributed to all terminals. Theterminal A that carries out the image capture may of course send theimage data directly to all terminals belonging to the group. Or, may forexample send the image data by broadcast transmission utilizing a methodsuch as mail; however when there are a large number of terminalsbelonging to the group, the load increases on the terminal A which isthe transmit source.

The image data from the terminal A may be stored on a network and theimage data that is stored may be loaded in a state allowing access by aterminal belonging to the group. Further, the captured image may beuploaded to the cloud (network storage) and that address sent to eachterminal according the flow in the flowchart. This method is effectivewhen not in a hurry to view the captured image.

The group cancellation is described next. The group in which eachportable terminal participates is cancelled after a specified durationperiod elapses. In other words, the group duration period only lasts forthe time zone of the event described in the mail and the scheduleinformation shown for example in FIG. 11, and the group is automaticallycancelled after the event ends. Automatically cancelling a group mayemploy a method that communicates information showing that the group iscancelled, among each terminal; and a method that cancels the group byhaving each terminal separate from the group voluntarily, according tothe schedule. Further, the entire group may be cancelled by operation ofan optional terminal within the group (for example, the terminal of theorganizer of the party). Each terminal user on the other hand mayvoluntarily operate their terminal to separate from the group.

FIG. 18C shows the processing for the portable terminal to separate fromthe group. The process for the user of terminal A (1006) to separatelywithdraw from the group in order to leave the ongoing party isdescribed.

The terminal A first of all sends a request showing intent to withdrawfrom the group to the terminal B which is the group parent (S2031). Theterminal B that receives the request, displays the request to withdrawfrom the group on the terminal screen and notifies the user (S2032). Ifnecessary, the notification may be combined with vibrator operation oran incoming message voice. When the terminal B user sees the displayedwithdraw request and operates (the device) to accept the request, amessage accepting the withdraw request is sent back from the terminal Bto the terminal A (S2033). The terminal B then deletes the ID of theterminal A from the group list (S2034) and distributes an updated grouplist to the terminal C (S2035). The terminal C further distributes thegroup list no longer including terminal A to each terminal within thegroup by forwarding the updated group list to the other terminals.

In S2033, when the user of terminal B decides whether or not to withdrawfrom the group, an operation to select not permitting withdraw from thegroup is also possible. In that case, notification is made that thewithdraw request is not accepted and the processing ends. If there areno particular conditions on group participation or withdraw, theterminal B may automatically decide on withdraw (acceptance) without adecision from the user and the operation proceeds to the next process.Also, even in the case of automatic processing by terminal B, withdrawof the terminal A may be notified to all terminals within the group by acombination with a screen display or voice/vibration.

FIG. 19 is drawings showing the operating screens for sending the imagefrom the portable terminal. This is for example when sending the imagecaptured by terminal A (1006) to the terminal B (1003).

The FIG. 19(a) shows the screen 1700 of terminal A during image capture,and the subject is displayed in the finder. The software button 1700 inthe screen is the same as the light assist request button 1201 describedin FIG. 12. In this imaging mode, pressing the shutter button 1702captures a still image of the video displayed in the finder and storesthe still image in the memory.

The FIG. 19(b) shows the screen 1700′ after image capture and shows thestill image captured in FIG. 19(a). The image displayed here is theimage immediately after image capture but a stored image in the memoryloaded from the memory can of course also be displayed. Two softwarebuttons 1703 and 1704 are displayed in the screen. The button 1703 thatshows, “Next Take” is for continuing to capture images and pressing thisbutton 1703 again shows the FIG. 19(a) screen display.

The button 1704 displaying “Send to Group” on the other hand, is forsending images. Pressing the send button 1704 automatically makes acommunication connection with a preset terminal (for example, terminalB) and sends the captured image. After performing the send operation,the process again returns to the screen 1700 of FIG. 19(a), and imagecapture can continue. Pressing the home button 1705 ends the imagecapture mode. The user can in this way send images to members within thegroup by way of a simple operation.

Example 6 can in this way promptly distribute the captured images toportable terminals belonging to the group, and the group members caninstantly view the captured images.

EXAMPLE 7

Example 7 describes a method for managing the captured image data. Theimage data is data captured by the user's own device, and there are alsoitems received from other portable terminals within the group so theseare respectively classified and saved.

FIG. 20 is screen examples showing the method for managing the imagedata in the portable terminal. The display screen 1800 is configured bysuperimposing a color display panel such as liquid crystal display panelcapable of displaying the captured image and a touch panel that outputsthose coordinates on the screen when the display screen is touched. Theuser can in this way view the captured image, and by touching the menuscreen, switch the image display according to the selected menu.

The FIG. 20(a) is a screen showing the configuration example of thefolder for managing the image files. Here, the folder 1801 “camera” is afolder of images captured by its own portable terminal (Hiro#1) and isgrouped into a “20160628” folder affixed with the image capture date,and all image data captured on that day is stored in this folder. Thefolder 1802 “Share” on the other hand is a folder of images that areshared with other portable terminals as described for FIG. 17B. Imagescaptured by the portable terminal itself are contained within the“Share” folder 1802, and for example, the “Party 20160628” folder isassigned to the “Share” folder 1802. However, these are not the imagedata itself, but hold the data showing the address of the correspondingimage data in the “20160628” folder within the “Camera” folder 1801.

The respective folders on the screens showing the folder configurationneed not always necessarily specify a folder actually containing thedata itself. Image data stored in a folder configuration separate fromthat displayed on the screen may be presented to the user as a folderconfiguration shown in FIG. 20(a) conforming to those image dataattributes. Here, as the image data attribute, “Camera” is set in theimages captured by the portable terminal itself and the ID of theterminal is set in the images captured by other portable terminals.

The FIG. 20(b) shows an example of the screen display when the“20160628” folder is selected from the “Camera” folder 1801 in thescreen in FIG. 20(a). The image data captured on this day is shownarrayed in a list of size-reduced images (Thumbnail) 1803. Here,“Camera” is attached as the attribute for each thumbnail. Among thesethumbnails, touching a thumbnail the user wishes to view, displays animage of that thumbnail across the entire screen and the image can beenlarged.

The FIG. 20(c) shows an example of the screen display at the time the“Party 20160628” folder is selected in the “Share” folder 1802 in thescreen in FIG. 20(a). The image data thumbnails 1804 for image databelonging to “Party 20160628” are displayed in the same layout as FIG.20(b). The image data shown here is image data captured and shared byeach portable terminal in the group, and a terminal ID (for example,“Arecha#1” is attached that shows the portable terminal that capturedthe image. Among these, the thumbnail 1805 attribute (terminal ID) is“Hiro#1” and is image data captured on the portable terminal itself.

The file name for the captured image for the attribute =“Haru#1”following “20160628#1” is “20160628#3” which is not consecutive ornamely not serving as a serial number. The file name is not consecutivebecause not all of the images captured by the portable terminal for“Haru#1” are shared since the user decides according to thecircumstances whether to share and send the image data. The operationfor sharing or not sharing the image is given in the following example.First of all, the captured image is automatically shared when a requestof the illumination terminal function is made to another portableterminal to capture the image as described in Example 1. In all otherimage captures an inquiry is made to the user asking if the image is tobe shared or not, and the user makes a decision. Or, an initial settingcan be made on whether to share all images captured in a defined periodby way of a schedule priority, even if the user has decided whether toshare or not.

Also, the “From Arecha#1” folder belonging to the “Share” folder 1802 isimage data that was received from terminal ID=“Arecha#1” however thisimage data is not shared and is directly received from an individual.The “20151224” folder is image data captured on Dec. 24, 2015 and isimage data shared with the group. These folder names can be freelychanged by the user when necessary. Also, when a group is configuredusing under the condition recorded in the schedule or mail as shown forexample in FIG. 11, the “Party” recorded in the schedule or mail can beautomatically assigned to the folder name stored in the shared imagedata.

FIG. 21 is drawings showing the method for naming the captured imagedata. Naming is necessary to prevent conflicts from occurring among theimage data file names within the same folder.

The FIG. 21(a) is the display screen 1900 showing a configurationexample for a folder for managing the image files. The difference fromthe display screen 1800 in FIG. 20(a) is that the image data file namesin the lower part of the folder are simultaneously displayed. Forexample, the plural file names 1902 belonging to “20160628” folder 1901and the plural file names 1904 belonging to “Miwa's Birthday Party20160628” folder 1903 are displayed. In this case, a unique file namemust be utilized so as not to allow any redundant file names within thesame folder.

Images captured by the portable terminal itself and belonging to the“Camera” folder are stored in the “20160628” folder showing the date,and the file name of “DSC”+four consecutive number digits+“.jpg”(extension) is set. The four consecutive number digits are incrementedby one digit each time one image is captured and set as a file name withconsecutive number digits.

“Miwa's Birthday Party 20160628” folder 1903 that is the name recordedin the mail and schedule of FIG. 11 is generated in the “Share” folder.The file names 1904 for the image data captured and shared by eachportable terminal are listed below “Miwa's Birthday Party 20160628”.Using the unchanged file name 1902 for the image data captured on itsown portable terminal under the “Camera” folder as the file names 1904,might cause redundant file names to occur among image data captured fromdifferent portable terminals. Therefore in this example, a terminal IDof each portable terminal (for example, “Arecha#1) is added to the filenames to ensure that no conflicts occur among the file names. A processto change the file names is therefore carried out on the send side orthe receive side for each portable terminal.

The FIG. 21(b) is a drawing for describing a specific method (alsocalled nomenclature) for naming the file; and is described for file name1904 in FIG. 21(a). In the file name 1904, the user terminalidentification ID “Arecha#1” that is given to each portable terminal isadded in front of the “DSC00204.jpg” file name on the user terminal, forthe file name added when the image is captured by the original portableterminal. The user terminal identification ID is a combination of theuser name “Arecha” and the terminal number “#1” for identifying eachterminal in cases where the same user possesses plural portableterminals. Each image data can in this way be identified even if thefile names “DSC00204.jpg” on the user terminal are the same. This namingmethod allows mutually sharing image data captured by plural portableterminals, and managing image data without file name conflicts occurringeven when collectively managing the image data.

Example 7 separately groups the images captured on one's own portableterminal, from the images shared within a group and stores them; with noredundant file names occurring in the stored image data and so cansatisfactorily manage the image data.

Examples 6 and 7 described above are capable of instantly sharing imagedata within the group by having the grouped portable terminals sendimages captured by each or any of the portable terminals to the otherportable terminals within the group. The portable terminalsparticipating in the group at this time may possess a sub-light functionto link their illumination as described in Example 1; however possessingthis function is not an indispensable condition. In other words, theobject of Examples 6 and 7 is to generate groups for sharing image dataregardless of whether or not there is imaging assist or support.

Each of the above examples specifically and in detail describes thedevice and system configuration in order to describe the presentinvention in an easy to understand manner. However the invention is notnecessarily always limited to all of the described structures andconfigurations. Moreover, substituting a portion of an example into thestructure of another example is possible and further, the structure ofan example may be added to the structure of another example.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

100 . . . camera-equipped portable information terminal device (imagingterminal),

101, 102, 103 . . . portable information terminal device (illuminationterminal)

120 . . . subject,

200 . . . CPU (control unit),

202 . . . camera sensor,

205, 700 . . . GPS unit,

207 . . . Bluetooth,

208 . . . wireless LAN,

212 . . . backlight LCD,

213 . . . flashlight,

205, 700 . . . GPS unit,

300, 310 . . . light emission command signal,

1000 to 1010 . . . camera-equipped portable information terminal device(portable terminal),

1201 . . . light assist request button

1213 . . . light assist permission button

1400 . . . schedule code

1510, 1520 . . . countdown (display, voice)

1704 . . . send button

1801 . . . camera folder

1802 . . . share folder

1902, 1904 . . . image file

1. A camera-equipped portable information terminal device comprising: animaging unit that captures an image of a subject; a first illuminationmeans for illuminating the subject; a first communication unit thatcommunicates with other portable information terminal devices; and afirst control unit that controls the imaging unit and the firstcommunication unit, wherein the first control unit sends a lightemission command signal to the other portable information terminaldevices by way of the first communication unit, and causes a secondillumination means of each of the other portable information terminaldevices to emit light while in a linked state with the imaging operationof the imaging unit.
 2. A portable information terminal device includingan illumination means and comprising: a second communication unit thatcommunicates with a camera-equipped portable information terminaldevice; and a second control unit that controls the illumination meansand the second communication unit, wherein the second control unitreceives the light emission command signal from the camera-equippedportable information terminal device by way of the second communicationunit, and emits light by the illumination means linked with the imagingoperation of the camera-equipped portable information terminal device.3. The camera-equipped portable information terminal device according toclaim 1, wherein the light emission command signal to be sent to theother portable information terminal devices includes an absolute timefor the illumination means of the other portable information terminaldevices to emit light.
 4. The camera-equipped portable informationterminal device according to claim 3, comprising a GPS receiver thatreceives GPS information and acquires position information and timeinformation of the terminal device, wherein the clock for displaying theabsolute time within the light emission command signal is calibratedbased on the time information received by the GPS receiver.
 5. Thecamera-equipped portable information terminal device according to claim1, wherein when the imaging unit captures an image of the subject bycausing the second illumination means of the other portable informationterminal devices to emit light, the first control unit stops the lightemission by the first illumination means when the face of the subject isfacing toward the imaging unit.
 6. The camera-equipped portableinformation terminal device according to claim 1, wherein before imagecapture of the subject by the imaging unit, the first control unit sendsa light emission command signal for a pre-flash to the other portableinformation terminal devices, causes the second illumination means toperform a pre-flash of a plurality of changing light emission colors,and sets an illumination color that satisfactorily matches the subject.7. The portable information terminal device according to claim 2,wherein in order to start linked illumination operating mode for thesecond illumination means to emit light while linked with the imagingoperation of the camera-equipped portable information terminal device, abutton to command starting the linked illumination operating mode isshown on the initial screen displayed in the operable state from amongthe transition screens after shifting from the portable informationterminal device operation standby state.
 8. The camera-equipped portableinformation terminal device according to claim 1, wherein in order toset the other portable information terminal devices to emit light by thesecond illumination means linked with the imaging operation of theimaging unit, the first control unit confirms by way of the firstcommunication unit that the other portable information terminal devicescontain event information in common with the event information containedin the mail data or schedule data in the camera-equipped portableinformation terminal device.
 9. The camera-equipped portable informationterminal device according to claim 1, wherein the first control unitissues a screen or voice showing a countdown for a specified perioduntil image capture operation when capturing images by the imagingunits, and sends a light emission command signal to the other portableinformation terminal devices by way of the first communication unit forthe specified period.
 10. A linked imaging method for capturing imagesby linking a camera-equipped portable information terminal device withother portable information terminal devices including an illuminationmeans, wherein the camera-equipped portable information terminal devicesends a light emission command signal to the other portable informationterminal devices when capturing images, the other portable informationterminal devices emit light by the illumination means in compliance withthe light emission command signal received from the camera-equippedportable information terminal device, and the camera-equipped portableinformation terminal device captures an image by utilizing the lightemitted from the illumination means.
 11. The camera-equipped portableinformation terminal device according to claim 1, wherein, the firstcontrol unit forms a group capable of mutually communicating within alocal area by communicating with other portable information terminaldevices by way of the first communication unit, and along with sendingimage data captured by the imaging unit to the other portableinformation terminal devices belonging to the group by way of the firstcommunication unit, the first control unit also receives image data sentfrom the other portable information terminal devices.
 12. Acamera-equipped portable information terminal device comprising: animaging unit that captures an image of a subject; a first communicationunit that communicates with other portable information terminal devices;and a first control unit that controls the first communication unit,wherein, the first control unit forms a group capable of mutuallycommunicating within a local area by communicating with other portableinformation terminal devices by way of the first communication unit, andalong with sending image data captured by the imaging unit to the otherportable information terminal devices belonging to the group by way ofthe first communication unit, the first control unit also receives imagedata sent from the other portable information terminal devices.
 13. Aportable information terminal device comprising: a second communicationunit that communicates with the camera-equipped portable informationterminal device; and a second control unit that controls the secondcommunication unit, wherein the second control unit forms a groupcapable of mutually communicating within a local area by communicatingwith a camera-equipped portable information terminal device by way ofthe second communication unit, and receives image data captured and sentfrom the camera-equipped portable information terminal device belongingto the group by way of the second communication unit.
 14. The portableinformation terminal device according to claim 13, wherein, the secondcontrol unit further forms a group among the other portable informationterminal devices by way of the second communication unit, and when theimage data that the camera-equipped portable information terminal devicesends is received, sends the image data to the other portableinformation terminal devices.
 15. The camera-equipped portableinformation terminal device according to claim 12, wherein among imagedata captured by the imaging unit, the first control unit sends only theimage data captured in the period while the group is formed, to theother portable information terminal devices.
 16. The camera-equippedportable information terminal device according to claim 12, wherein inorder to form a group among the other portable information terminaldevices, the first control unit sends a communication for requestingforming a group to the other portable information terminal devices byway of the first communication unit, and forms the group afterconfirming that both portable information terminal devices contain thedesignated information by mutual communication.
 17. The camera-equippedportable information terminal device according to claim 16, wherein thefirst control unit cancels the formed group, after a period described inthe specified information contained in both portable informationterminal devices has elapsed.
 18. The camera-equipped portableinformation terminal device according to claim 12, comprising a displayunit that shows the image data, wherein the display unit sorts a list ofimage data captured by the imaging unit, and a list of image data sentor received among the portable information terminal devices belonging tothe group into different folders and displays them.
 19. Thecamera-equipped portable information terminal device according to claim12, wherein the first control unit manages file names sent or receivedamong portable information terminal devices belonging to the group byutilizing new file names attached with a name for identifying theportable information terminal devices that captured image data.